Chapter 198: Let It Slide This Time

"Gah?"

Tian Long, who had been full of respect, froze as if struck by a club on the head.

What did he call him?

Master?

Who was Master Yuanyu? A true medical master, a formal physician, on equal footing with his grandfather Old Tian, respected wherever he went, even treated with courtesy by Emperor Shen Zhui.

Even someone like him, a famous prodigy among the younger generation, had to speak cautiously, afraid to offend. Yet such a figure... was now running over with a respectful face to address this guy younger than himself as... Master?

The way he acted was like meeting an idol...

What the hell was going on?

The worst part was, he had just said this guy wasn't qualified to be called Master, and then Master Yuanyu came running over—the slap in the face...

Tian Long felt his face twist, his lips burning.

But the infuriating part wasn't over. He thought that with Master Yuanyu's high status making a special trip, the kid would feel honored and smug, but instead saw him frown: "Didn't we just meet a few days ago?"

Frown?

What the hell are you frowning about!

Tian Long's mouth twitched.

The other was an elder, saying 'long time no see' was just politeness. This guy, on the other hand, called him out on the spot... Couldn't they just have a normal conversation?

He expected Master Yuanyu to get angry, but instead saw him slap his forehead in realization: "Yes, yes! It's just that I hung the master's painting in my room and study it daily. The more I look, the more I feel the gap in skill, so I forgot we met just a few days ago."

"A painting, what's there to study? If you really want to learn, I can teach you!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Good, then I'd be very grateful..." Master Yuanyu was so excited his beard curled up.

Thump!

Tian Long staggered, feeling thunder roar in his ears.

Yuanyu... are you still a master? Right now you look like an elementary school student!

Learn from this kid? Learn what?

Is he even qualified?

"He..."

Unable to hold back, he looked at Bai Xun.

"Teacher Zhang is a true master of calligraphy and painting, even Master Lu Chen admires him greatly. If he doesn't deserve the title of master, who does?" Bai Xun said smugly, looking at him with contempt.

Let you show off!

Now you can't say anything!

Look at how arrogant you were, 'not knowing your place'—it's you who doesn't know your place!

"Master of calligraphy and painting?"

Only then did Tian Long remember that Master Yuanyu was not only skilled in medicine but also very accomplished in calligraphy and painting.

But he just couldn't figure out what level this infamous college teacher, not even twenty, had reached to earn such praise from a true master like Yuanyu.

Although calligraphy and painting weren't as popular as tea ceremony, they were still one of the nine legitimate professions, and very hard to master.

"Maybe he copied some works of predecessors and gained a bit of fame. 'Master' is just a flattering title. Otherwise, at this age, even if he started learning painting at birth, he couldn't have reached master level..."

Tea ceremony and calligraphy were similar; he knew the difficulty.

He had started learning tea ceremony at age seven, and after eighteen years, he had only reached the second realm of tea ceremony, [Return to Simplicity].

In alchemist terms, that was equivalent to the peak of senior alchemy apprentice, still a long way from formal.

The other was younger than him—how could he truly reach master level?

Master was a title for formal professionals.

For example, a formal alchemist could be called Alchemy Master, and a formal calligrapher or painter, or one who could create fourth-realm works, could also be called that.

A kid under twenty creating fourth-realm calligraphy or painting?

That was like saying he could brew fourth-realm tea—what a joke!

...

Not knowing that Tian Long on the side didn't believe it, Zhang Xuan saw that Master Yuanyu's visit had attracted attention, so he waved his hand: "You go ahead. If you really want to learn, come find me when you have time!"

He had come here to see the Three Masters and ask about the black qi in his body, not wanting to stand out too much—after all, one should keep a low profile!

If this guy kept following him, how could he stay low-key?

It didn't fit his principles and requirements!

"Yes, I'll go over there and come to learn from Master Zhang when I'm free." Master Yuanyu knew his identity was too conspicuous and staying would cause unnecessary trouble, so he cupped his hands and left.

Those who achieve mastery are teachers. Although the other was young, he could create fifth-realm paintings—on that alone, he deserved respect and learning.

...

Too caught up in shock and anger, Tian Long hadn't heard their conversation clearly. Now looking at Teacher Zhang Xuan again, instead of admiration, he felt even more irritated.

It was no secret that he liked Huang Yu, which was why he had been at odds with Bai Xun.

Knowing Huang Yu would come to his grandfather's birthday banquet, he had specially learned a tea-brewing technique to show off, but before he could, this guy slapped him in the face—and hard. It took a lot of composure not to start a fight.

"Even if he's not a real master, for Master Yuanyu to personally come greet him, he must be something..."

Though angry, he didn't lose his cool. Just as he was thinking how to make this guy lose face and get back at him, an idea struck him.

"Right, they came today too. Someone reported to me earlier, but I was too focused on waiting for Xiaoyu to go over. Letting them meet should be interesting..."

With that, he stepped forward: "Teacher Zhang, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were skilled in calligraphy and painting. I was rude, please forgive me!"

He said sorry, but his face showed no apology.

Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered with such two-faced, insincere people, and casually waved his hand: "I'll let it slide this time. Don't let it happen again."

"You..."

Hearing the other's polite words delivered in a lecturing tone like a teacher scolding a student, Tian Long felt his chest tighten again, nearly exploding.

Can we just have a normal conversation?

I've heard that people skilled in calligraphy and painting are gentle and refined, with cultured and profound speech. How can this guy piss you off with just one sentence...

Is he really a master of calligraphy and painting?

He clenched his fists, nearly bursting. But the angrier he got, the less he showed it. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, but he smiled: "Yes, I'll be careful next time. I don't know when Master Liu and the others will arrive. How about we wait upstairs? When they come, we'll definitely see them."

Anyone familiar with him would know that expression meant someone was about to be in trouble.

"This..." Huang Yu hesitated, looking at the young man beside her.

Although she was a master teacher apprentice with high status, Zhang Xuan was on equal footing with Master Lu Chen, so she didn't dare decide on her own.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Master Yuanyu's visit had already drawn attention. For him, waiting upstairs was the same—he had already wasted the day, so there was no rush.

"Alright." Seeing his agreement, Huang Yu agreed.

Seeing this, Tian Long became even more frantic.

He didn't know the relationship between Zhang Xuan and Huang Yu, and seeing them like this, he thought they were exchanging flirtatious glances, deeply in love...

Intense jealousy made his face twitch, ready to explode at any moment.

The second floor of the hall was where guests were received. They could drink tea or sit by the window to enjoy the view. From here, the entire manor looked like a huge garden, pleasing to the eye.

The four of them went up the stairs.

The second floor was filled with elegant seats. Many people were already seated, drinking tea and chatting cheerfully.

Those who could attend Old Tian's birthday banquet were almost all famous figures of Tianxuan Kingdom, with high status, each attended by a dedicated maid.

These maids seemed to have been specially trained, familiar with tea ceremony, their tea-brewing flowing like water, giving a unique sense of beauty.

"This way..."

Tian Long led the way, looking around as if searching for someone. Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he stopped.

"Brother Lu, Brother Wang, you're here and didn't call me—I didn't know you were here..."

Following his gaze, they saw two people sitting not far away.

They were the star teachers of Hongtian Academy, Lu Xun and Wang Chao.

They had also come to attend Old Tian's birthday banquet today.

"Tian Long, are you doing this on purpose?" Seeing that he had brought them here, Huang Yu knew his intention and her face darkened.

Everyone knew that Teacher Zhang Xuan was going to compete with Teacher Lu Xun, and they were at odds. Bringing them together was clearly malicious.

"Xiaoyu, what are you saying? I just happened to see Brother Lu and Brother Wang. Since you all know each other, why not sit together and have some tea? I'll show off my skills."

Tian Long curled his lips, sneaking a glance at Zhang Xuan.

Kid, you were so arrogant just now, weren't you?

'Let it slide this time'—slide your sister!

Now that Teacher Lu Xun is here, let's see you keep up your act of master and expert!

Lu Xun and Wang Chao clearly hadn't expected to meet Zhang Xuan here. Wang Chao frowned and looked at Tian Long: "Brother Tian, did the invitation check for Old Tian's banquet slip? How can just anyone get in?"

Hearing this, Tian Long nearly jumped with excitement.

He had heard that Wang Chao was hot-tempered, and indeed he didn't disappoint.

He was worried about how to stir up conflict, and this guy started it right away.

Delighted inside, he deliberately put on a troubled expression: "The invitation check was definitely done. Assistant Huang Yu and Young Prince Bai were personally invited by me. As for this... Teacher Zhang, though I didn't invite him, since he's their guest, I can't say much..."

"Guest? A low-level teacher can be called a guest?"

Wang Chao sneered.

Zhang Xuan was only a low-level teacher at the academy, not even senior, let alone a star teacher. In terms of status, he indeed wasn't qualified to attend Old Tian's banquet.

"Enough, Wang Chao!"

Lu Xun waved his hand, cutting off his friend's sarcasm, glanced at Zhang Xuan, and said calmly: "Sorry, Teacher Zhang, Wang Chao is always blunt and lacks manners. But... this really isn't a place you should be. Go back quickly, and don't let Miss Huang Yu get scolded because of you, nor let Hongtian Academy lose its reputation."